CVE-2018-11422 in OnCell G3100-HSPA
Summary
by MITRE
Moxa OnCell G3100-HSPA Series version 1.6 Build 17100315 and prior use a proprietary configuration protocol that does not provide confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity security controls. All information is sent in plain text, and can be intercepted and modified. Any commands (including device reboot, configuration download or upload, or firmware upgrade) are accepted and executed by the device without authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2023
The Moxa OnCell G3100-HSPA Series devices represent industrial communication gateways that facilitate remote management and configuration of cellular network connections in critical infrastructure environments. These devices operate in scenarios where secure communication between field equipment and central monitoring systems is essential for operational continuity. The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-11422 exposes a fundamental flaw in the device's proprietary configuration protocol implementation that undermines the security posture of these critical network endpoints. This weakness affects firmware versions 1.6 Build 17100315 and earlier, indicating that the security deficiency has persisted for an extended period within the product lineage.
The technical flaw manifests through the complete absence of cryptographic security controls within the proprietary configuration protocol. All communication between management systems and the device occurs in plaintext format, making it susceptible to passive interception by malicious actors monitoring network traffic. The protocol lacks essential security measures including confidentiality through encryption, data integrity verification through cryptographic hashes or digital signatures, and authenticity verification through mutual authentication mechanisms. This absence of security controls creates a scenario where network traffic can be easily captured, analyzed, and modified without detection by either party in the communication. The vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles that should be implemented in any networked device handling sensitive operational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass complete system compromise and potential operational disruption. Attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the device without any form of authentication, including critical operations such as device reboots that can cause service interruption, configuration downloads that expose sensitive network settings, and firmware upgrades that could introduce malicious code. This lack of authentication allows attackers to assume full administrative control over the device, potentially leading to complete network isolation of the connected industrial systems, data exfiltration, or the introduction of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that can be exploited by both external threat actors and insider threats, as no access controls are enforced at the protocol level.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, which specifically address the exposure of sensitive data through unencrypted communication channels. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK tactics including T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) where attackers can leverage the clear text communication for reconnaissance and command execution. The device's lack of authentication mechanisms also corresponds to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1543 (Create or Modify System Process) tactics, as attackers can manipulate system configurations without requiring legitimate credentials. Organizations deploying these devices in industrial environments face significant risks including potential operational technology (OT) security breaches that could affect critical infrastructure availability and integrity.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate network-level protections including the implementation of network segmentation to isolate affected devices, deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous command sequences, and the enforcement of network access controls through firewalls. Device administrators should implement network monitoring solutions capable of detecting and alerting on unauthorized configuration changes or command execution attempts. The most effective long-term solution requires firmware updates from Moxa to implement proper cryptographic security controls including TLS encryption for configuration protocols, mutual authentication mechanisms, and command-level authentication. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network architectures that enforce continuous verification of device identities and network access permissions, ensuring that even if one device is compromised, lateral movement remains restricted. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial communication devices should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other proprietary protocols that may not have been properly secured against modern threat landscapes.